matt2ace

First.......search! There are several good threads on 9mm loads both major and minor PF. If you are going for 9mm minor, you might find a powder that works for 9 and 45. If you are going 9 major, you will likely need something different for 45.

Looks like the comp alone is $900. I doubt it will provide enough improvement over current comp designs, especially at that price.

Bill, Good poins. I already pulled the grip tape off when I took the grip apart. I will probably just reassemble it and put another piece of grip tape on (going to punch holes for the screws this time ). Maybe STI will have a solution to this problem by the time this one cracks bad enough to really need replacement. Randy.....I do plan to have the replacment anodized when I finally replace it.

I pulled the grip from my gun for return to STI (they will replace at no charge). I found cracks on both sides in the same location at the thinnest point in the grip. I took a top-dowm pic and a coule from the inside of the grip to show where the crack is starting. I measured the thickness in that area at ~0.025, it is the thinnest point in the grip. I am confident STI could strengthen that area by removing less material from the outside of the grip. The change in contour at that location would have little effect on feel in my opinion.

Matt....An interesting suggestion that could stop the crack from propagating. My only issue with that action is that it might void any opportunity to get a replacement from STI if it did not work. I am going to contact STI first and see how quickly I can get a replacement.

This pic shows what I described at 4-5K rounds on the grip. Looks like it's just reached the point where it will start to spread towards the trigger guard based on your pics. I love these metal grips. The balance is better and they just feel better in my hands than polymer grips. Like you, Bill, I plan to keep using them and hope that STI continues to replace them until they solve the problem. Not sure if I will keep getting the anodized ($35 with shipping) if I am going to have to replace them atleast 1x/year or more.

I just inspected the older of my full size aluminum grips (4-5K rounds on it) and I do believe that there is the beginnings of a crack. The grip is anodized in blue and I can see a bright line aout a half inch long from the top of the grip in the same location as the pix posted here. I will try to get a pic of my grib to post shortly. Guess it's time to contact STI and see about a replacement.....ACK!

One of the best.......price, turn-around-time, quality! Both my Gan's guns run flawlessly. BTW - he did not do the anodizing.

2 open guns both with full-size aluminum grips. One has 4K rounds, the other about 1K.....not a single problem.

It is definitely powdercoat......

When I ran Glocks in 9 major, I was running 1.145 OAL. 1.15 is about max for Glock mags.

I get atleast 4 reloads on my 9 major brass, 6 or more if I roll-size the brass. I have found that powder choice can impact 9 major brass life. The faster powders seem to beat on the brass much worse. In my experience to date, slower powders like AA7, HS6, 3N38, Autocomp seem to allow for more reloads before the brass it unusable. I am still experimenting with powders to see if this theory is true (multiple reloads with various powders using same brass). Roll-sizing every 2-3 reloads keeps the primer pockets tight (a big problem in 9 major) the case diameter in spec for size.

I don't see any value in spacers on the sides of an STI mag. I run 1.185 OAL in STI mags with spacers without any problems.

Since I buy the C-more batteries in 10 paks, I usually take 3 with me. That way I can be a nice guy and give one to some other poor sole who forgot extras and still have at least one spare for myself . Not exactly a mandatory, but great way to make a new friend at a match. I suggest pre-moistened lense wipes to keep the optics clean. You can be assured that you won't scratch the lense when you clean it. I keep a half dozen in a ziplock baggy.

+1 Hybrid comps in 9 major require more powder to make major PF due to additional gas venting from the hybrid ports. This pushes the limits of case volume when reloading. I have seen 9mm guns with 2 hybrid ports require 0.5gr more Silhouette to make major vs a similar gun with a pretty typical 5 port (3up, 2 side) 9 major comp.

Have you tried any new brass? Do you know anyone with a roll-sizer with 9mm dies? If so, try roll-sizing some of the used brass. I know you are trying a lot of changes based on the posts here. Are you keeping a detailed log of what you have tried and the results? With so many possible variables, it's pretty important to keep a record of each step you take.

+1 for IRON BOB! The man is my GOD Turning 50 this year and I have not reached the point where I feel any physical limitations to my shooting ability. In fact, I see myself continuing to improve in speed and skill. I only hope I am as capable as Bob when I reach his age. I am the MD for my club and the main course designer. Our club layout is challenging for longer courses, but we get a good mix for each match. It is pretty easy to build a long or medium course with good shooting challenges. I have found that short courses can be tougher to design with challenging layouts. However, they can be static and still present a challenge to shooting skills (SH/WH only, unloaded-table draw, lots of no shoots or hard cover, etc.). Feedback I get is that my stages are as challenging (or more) than some major matches. IMHO, I have met my goal when I hear that feedback. Yea, I get a few whiners.....I just smile and walk away.

Looks nice, but I bet that front checkering is real sharp and not so comfortable. I have a CCF aluminum frame for one Glock that has similar checkering and found it uncomfortable to the point where I covered it up. I have 2 STI Aluminum grips with TrueGrip tape on them and find it provides a great grip. How much were you quoted for the work?

Springfield Armory museum! A great museum for gun lovers. 15 minutes from the S&W range. http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm The Main Collection Room View the complete on-line collections description (over 9,000 mostly prototype and production Springfield Armory weapons and associated objects), the largest collection of historic American military shoulder arms in the world. Only the British collection comprising the combined Royal Armouries and the National Firearms Centre [formerly the Pattern Room] is larger.

+1 Shred

A great article.....even better because I had the good fortune to watch some of them shoot at the match!

I have 3 x 170mm SPS magazines, all with Bolen parts. One works flawlessly, never a problem with up to 29 rounds, even after being dropped multile times. The other two exhibit bullet dive even with a little as 20 rounds loaded. I have tuned both mags to match the dimensions of the working mag, but still cannot fix the bullet dive problem. Does anyone have a solution to the bullet dive problem with SPS magazines that they are willing to share? I have checked with a few of the better known mag tuners and none are interested in tuning SPS mags. Is there is anyone offering tuning services for SPS magazines?

This is a Teaser Trailer for an upcoming movie shot in Hong Kong. I would expect a full trailer to come out within a couple of months. Check out the publicity pix below the trailer. I don't recall seeing a top IPSC competitors with mags positioned straight up or so close to the holster.

I came across this one today. The trailer shows a shoot out, 2 men involved as using IPSC open guns. http://twitchfilm.net/news/2009/12/louis-k...-triple-tap.php

When I RO, there is no chatting, no warnings......just MAKE READY when the shooter is standing in the start position. All the warnings and chatting should happen during the walk-through. I make the 'going hot' command before the first shooter is up to the start position and possibly after a long pause, but never when a shooter is standing at the start position. For any new or inexperienced shooters, we discuss the stage during the walk-through to assure they undertand safety issues. It's great to chat, advise and help a shooter during a match.......just not on start line of a stage.